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POSTED UNDER Lip Lift Reviews

Wanted Slightly Fuller Lips, but Mostly Wanted to Reduce the Area of Skin Between my Nose and Upper Lip - Sugar Land, TX

UPDATED FROM ccoquin123
1 year post

Before in Aug 2014 and After, Dec 2015

WORTH IT$3,000
Although my upper lip is not really fuller than originally, the distance between it and my nose is shorter, and I think looks nice. Overall, one year post, I'm very happy and would do it again

ccoquin123's provider

Gary M. Horndeski, MD

Gary M. Horndeski, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 319 Reviews
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Dr. Gary Horndeski was courteous and straight forward. I wasn't sure exactly how much I wanted taken off, so he was conservative with me. The procedure went superbly and I felt confident he knew what he was doing. My roscea flared immediately so these post pix look awful. I will return and post one with makeup in a week - just wanted everyone to see up close pix to get the gist of swelling, uneven nostrils, and scar. The nostrils improve daily, swelling is now minimal and albeit my scar is visible, I'm only 9 days out. Nose still feels numbish, but the swelling continues to dissipate daily, helping the nostrils look normal again. In 2 more weeks, I'm hoping to look much better. Please use sunscreen - as even a few minutes in the sun can intensify your scar.

Replies (2)

You look adorable!
Did you nose return to just as it was before?
UPDATED FROM ccoquin123
2 months post

Likely my last photo for RealSelf-unless something drastic changes.

Overall, I feel this was worth the effort as the space between my nose and upper lip is less. My lips are not fuller, and my nose is still slightly numb, but the swelling is almost gone and my nostrils look more & more even each day. The scar remains, but is also less visible with each passing day.

Replies (8)

Very Pretty and what a sexy post-op result. I love seeing wonderful results like this on Realself.
Do u feel u need to cut more? How long ur lips now؟
I am surprised your lip is not fuller as this procedure usually makes the upper lip fuller, from pulling it upward. I do think your lips looks pretty. I agree that the space between the upper lip and nose being less is important. Thank you for posting.
anon101010, I've been told for years that my upper lip rolls under, so no matter how much filler, etc., it still rolls under. It does look nicer if I'm not smiling, but I smile often, thus hoped for fuller lips. Cest la vie:)
Do u think u want to cut more. !!
You still have a pretty result. Thank you for sharing. Best to you.
Thank you for your in depth review. It helped me a lot. I want to have mine done when I am not going to holiday parties or events where will be seeing people I know until it heals. Your teeth and smile is very pretty.
Yes, you will not look the same for at least 3 months, and when your nose is swollen with uneven nostrils and the scar is red, it's not something makeup can cover. Thanks for the compliment!
UPDATED FROM ccoquin123
2 months post

Wanted Slightly fuller upper lips - Update two months post surgery

This photo is 2 months after my surgery. I still find my nose is plump on the end, but am hoping this will recede as doc says within the 6 months out date. NOTE: My upper lip was injected with 1/4 syringe of Juvederm on Sept 30th as it remains thinner than I want. I will not be undergoing a revision as recovery is too long, my scar is still visible (slowly fading each week), one nostril is V shaped now, and my lower nose remains numb. I cannot scrunch my nose yet, and my smile is not yet natural due to the numbness in that upper area. My friend who saw me last week for the first time since before my procedure, agrees that my nose looks quite plump.
I think in the long haul, this is a good procedure and I'll be happier with results once I can fully smile again. All best to those undergoing the upper lip lift. Please note it is a 4 to 6 month recovery.

Replies (9)

You look very sexy!! Thank you keeping us updated!!
Wow! You look 10 years younger! Congratulations!
Thank you! At a woman over 60, I'd read that thin lips age a person something fierce, but also feel those who over plump lips with fillers looks like they have fish lips. I did not want that, so was hoping for a more subtle look. Thank you!
I am planning a lip lift. I have an apt with a local surgeon but I'm afraid because it does take a lot of experience. I heard the procedure was $2,000 but with the travel expenses I'm sure it was more like $3,000. was that why it cost you $3,000? By the way, your lips look pretty and much more youthful than before but I do agree that a little more would have lasted you a lifetime. maybe you will change your mind and go let him take a little more off and repair your nostril. how much time does he give you to come back to get more removed if it's not enough? Also, I read he doesn't charge for more taken off but going through another surgery and the travel doesn't come cheap. He did ask you how much you wanted off --so since you were unsure he played it safe. That's what I would have done in his position. You still look amazing either way. You notice things about yourself most people would never notice. My five year old notices things about me that I haven't even noticed about myself. Asking me is a wrinkle is a booboo! And saying I have yellow teeth. Ouch!!! My teeth are not yellow but not a real white either...haha
I think she removed 3 mls onley and in my opinion if she take like 5 mls she will be more and more youthful:) For me my lips 1,5 cm and iam planing to cut 4 to 5 ml .
Hi Pinkberrystar - Dr. Horndeski charges $3,000.00 for the procedure, so my cost did not include travel expenses since I live 20 minutes away from his office. I wish I had allowed him to take off more, but alas, I did not and it's not worth another $1,000 to get more removed. He makes patients wait 6 months before he'll do a revision, and his revision is ONLY free if the revision is to improve scarring or something he did. Revisions to remove more skin cost $1,000.00 and I simply don't want to undergo this again. It's not that big a hassle after the first few weeks, but even now, my nose itches all the time as the remaining dissolvable stitches do their thing. The plumpness is subsiding, but it really bugged me for two months. I'm happy enough that I won't return for more skin removal, but do suggest anyone having it done remove a little more than the doctor suggests. He was definitely playing it safe, and it is usually better to return for more. I just don't want the hassle. Good luck, but do make sure your surgeon has done many, many of these and you've seen results:)
I've read a lot of your reviews Lulu. It's obvious that you're been keeping an "eagle eye" out for specific cosmetic topics. :) A pretty eye at that!
Thank you SO MUCH for such a thorough story of your lip lift experience! You look fantastic! I especially appreciate that you mention the numbness and recovery time of 4 to 6 months; the doctors make it seem much shorter. I have never had surgery and I have very little experience with this, but I am a very cautious individual and I will be looking for a doctor who has done a LOT of these. I plan to have this surgery within 2 years, after I move and when everything is settled. Thank you again!
When you say your nose is plump... Just how plump??? Is it noticeable ! Would you do it again if you void change things?